Four-Way Steerable Catheter with Distinct Wire Controls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current catheter systems have limited steerability, making it difficult to pinpoint exact locations within the body during cardiovascular procedures, leading to increased procedure time, potential patient trauma, and the need for additional personnel to maintain catheter position, especially in complex procedures like PTCA.
Innovation Solution
A four-way steerable catheter system with a plurality of wires and distinct controls for manipulating the catheter tip in multiple directions, allowing for precise positioning and control, including a transducer array for imaging and a locking mechanism to maintain the catheter's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional 2-way deflectable catheters with 1-2 pull wires are used, then the device complexity is low, but the steerability is limited and cannot reach all blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple segments with independent control mechanisms. Four separate pull wires are used to control four different bends in the catheter shaft, allowing independent manipulation of each segment to achieve precise positioning in complex vascular anatomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter transitions from 2-way deflection to 4-way steability by adding control in additional dimensions. The four pull wires enable bending in multiple planes and directions, transforming the catheter's maneuverability from limited planar deflection to three-dimensional navigation capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more pull wires and controls are added to improve steerability, then the catheter can reach more areas, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism is designed with universal functionality where a single integrated control system manages all four pull wires. The control assembly allows the operator to manipulate multiple wires through a unified interface, reducing the perceived complexity despite the increased number of control elements.
Solution Approach 2:
A control assembly acts as an intermediary between the operator and the four pull wires. This intermediate mechanism translates operator input into coordinated wire movement, simplifying the control interface while maintaining precise positioning capability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If 2-way deflectable catheters are used with tape to hold position, then the device complexity remains low, but the positioning stability is poor when patient moves
Solution Approach 1:
The four-way steerable catheter provides continuous feedback capability through its imaging system, allowing real-time monitoring of catheter position. This enables dynamic adjustment of the four pull wires to maintain stable positioning even when patient anatomy changes during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter system transitions from static positioning with tape to dynamic positioning control. The four independently controllable pull wires allow continuous adjustment of catheter shape and position in response to patient movement, maintaining stability through active control rather than passive fixation.
4Productivity
If traditional catheters require multiple insertions to reach blockages, then the procedure time increases and patient trauma increases, but simpler catheter designs are used
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter's geometric parameters are optimized through four-way steability, enabling navigation through complex vascular pathways in a single insertion. The ability to create and control four distinct bends allows the catheter to conform to varying anatomical paths without requiring removal and reinsertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter is pre-configured with four pull wires and control mechanisms that enable comprehensive navigation capability before insertion. This preliminary preparation allows the operator to navigate to the target blockage in a single procedure, preventing the need for multiple insertions that would increase trauma and procedure time.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain embodiments provide systems and methods for catheter positioning. Certain embodiments provide a catheter for use in at least intravenous and intracardiac spaces. The catheter includes a catheter body having a length and a tip portion at a distal end of the catheter body. The catheter also includes a plurality of wires for moving the catheter body in a plurality of directions. The catheter further includes a first control for manipulating the plurality of wires in two primary planes of movement for the catheter body. The catheter includes a second control for manipulating the plurality of wires in two secondary planes of movement for the catheter body. The second control is distinct in appearance and operation from the first control.